For the Daily Journal
INDIANAPOLIS
Host Roncalli took command of its girls basketball matchup Thursday against Indian Creek as soon as the Braves brought the ball inbounds. The Rebels didn’t let up until the fourth quarter, when the game was long since decided.
The Rebels’ fullcourt press harassed the Braves into 20 turnovers by halftime and 27 overall. That enabled Roncalli to build a 44-14 halftime lead and ease to a 67-39 nonconference victory.
“It obviously gave us some fits, but it was no different than anything we’ve seen all year,” Indian Creek coach Brian Ferris said. “We just weren’t ready to play. Roncalli’s a good team, and they can run a lot of people at you. We’ve got to match that mentality, and it took us three quarters to settle in.”
By the time the Braves finally settled in, Rebels coach Stan Benge called off the press. Roncalli’s lead swelled to 61-22 at the end of the third quarter before Indian Creek outscored the Rebels 17-6 in the fourth quarter to make the final score a little more respectable.
Roncalli (11-6) shot 27 of 53 from the floor (50.9 percent), thanks in part to several high-percentage layups off press-induced turnovers. The Rebels also hit 11 of 14 free throws and outrebounded Indian Creek, 36-22.
The Braves (11-8) settled for lots of outside shots when they managed to break Roncalli’s press. The Rebels played a 2-3 zone once the press subsided, and Indian Creek hit just 14 of 42 from the floor (33.3 percent), including 3 of 16 from 3-point range. The visitors also hit only 8 of 17 free throws.
“We’ve obviously got some little things we know we can fix,” Ferris said. “We know we’re going to have to be better prepared mentally. We had some players who played 100 percent all the time, but we need to run our motion offense like we’re supposed to. You’re going to have off nights. Our shots just weren’t falling.”
Caitlyn Snyder led the Braves with nine points, while Katie Burkman added eight. Heather Maddox pulled down six rebounds to share game-high honors and Ali Harris grabbed five.
Roncalli’s Alana Vinson led all scorers with 22 points, including 12 straight in a stretch late in the first half that made up most of a Rebels’ 15-0 run to end the first half and give Roncalli a 44-14 halftime lead. Maddie Bischoff added 17 points and six rebounds for the Rebels.
Indian Creek hosts Indianapolis Herron on Monday. Roncalli hosts Crispus Attucks on Saturday.
